There seems to be disagreement here. The downloaded ISO can be used on any computer. All through the following thread it says the install needs to see the qualifying OS. I realize that didn't apply to you. This is very confusing. Different opinions.

Even an MSoft blog says the upgrade version can be applied to a clean partition. The only thing that is not clear to me is whether the upgrade is OEM or retail licenced. Admittedly, there is more chance of my hair growing back than putting Win 8 on my desktop, but it would be handy to know if it would survive a hardware upgrade like a retail version. Apparently the 're-install over the original install' trick also works for Win 8 for authentication issues.

The thing is an OEM-type licence is tied to the hardware and the licence expires with the hardware (is tied to it), be it an upgrade or a technical fault. There have been reports of MSoft being kind and allowing an OEM licence to be used on new hardware if that was technically necessary to fix a computer.

A retail licence does not have that restriction. I know this from experience too as when I upgraded a while back, there were major problems,such that there were > 5 hardware changes (motherboard + CPU) over a 2-3 week period. I had no problems at all with my retail licence of Win 7. I'd have been stuck with an OEM.

A firmware update of a drive does not trigger the activation system - I upgraded the firmware on my 4 Seagate H/Ds a month ago without a burp from the activation system.

I am still holding back on downloading the upgrade till I can know for sure
if it is an OEM or Retail. I am like you and don't want an OEM.

"DrTeeth" wrote in message news:3662@public.tech.misc...

The thing is an OEM-type licence is tied to the hardware and the licence
expires with the hardware (is tied to it), be it an upgrade or a technical
fault. There have been reports of MSoft being kind and allowing an OEM
licence to be used on new hardware if that was technically necessary to fix
a computer.

A retail licence does not have that restriction. I know this from experience
too as when I upgraded a while back, there were major problems,such that
there were > 5 hardware changes (motherboard + CPU) over a 2-3 week period.
I had no problems at all with my retail licence of Win 7. I'd have been
stuck with an OEM.

A firmware update of a drive does not trigger the activation system - I
upgraded the firmware on my 4 Seagate H/Ds a month ago without a burp from
the activation system.

On 10/31/2012 10:03 PM, Ed. wrote:
> I am still holding back on downloading the upgrade till I can know for sure
> if it is an OEM or Retail. I am like you and don't want an OEM.
>
> "DrTeeth" wrote in message news:3662@public.tech.misc...
>
> The thing is an OEM-type licence is tied to the hardware and the licence
> expires with the hardware (is tied to it), be it an upgrade or a technical
> fault. There have been reports of MSoft being kind and allowing an OEM
> licence to be used on new hardware if that was technically necessary to fix
> a computer.
>
> A retail licence does not have that restriction. I know this from experience
> too as when I upgraded a while back, there were major problems,such that
> there were > 5 hardware changes (motherboard + CPU) over a 2-3 week period.
> I had no problems at all with my retail licence of Win 7. I'd have been
> stuck with an OEM.
>
> A firmware update of a drive does not trigger the activation system - I
> upgraded the firmware on my 4 Seagate H/Ds a month ago without a burp from
> the activation system.
>
> Hope you are well - hurricane wise.
>
> Regards
>
> DrT
>
>

On 10/31/2012 10:03 PM, Ed. wrote:
> I am still holding back on downloading the upgrade till I can know for
> sure
> if it is an OEM or Retail. I am like you and don't want an OEM.
>
> "DrTeeth" wrote in message news:3662@public.tech.misc...
>
> The thing is an OEM-type licence is tied to the hardware and the licence
> expires with the hardware (is tied to it), be it an upgrade or a technical
> fault. There have been reports of MSoft being kind and allowing an OEM
> licence to be used on new hardware if that was technically necessary to
> fix
> a computer.
>
> A retail licence does not have that restriction. I know this from
> experience
> too as when I upgraded a while back, there were major problems,such that
> there were > 5 hardware changes (motherboard + CPU) over a 2-3 week
> period.
> I had no problems at all with my retail licence of Win 7. I'd have been
> stuck with an OEM.
>
> A firmware update of a drive does not trigger the activation system - I
> upgraded the firmware on my 4 Seagate H/Ds a month ago without a burp from
> the activation system.
>
> Hope you are well - hurricane wise.
>
> Regards
>
> DrT
>
>

No, it is a Retail edition.Windows 8 OEM editions will be only those preinstalled by manufactures.You can transfer a 8/8 Pro license to another computer.But you cannot transfer the Media Center Pack license or the 8 Pro Pack (only the Pro Pack costs 69,99 dollars).http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/mss ... 8_Pro_PackSo if you plan to buy in the future better do it with the current offer.

From windows 8 Eula:http://www.microsoft.com/about/legal/en ... fault.aspx"Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you. You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. To make that transfer, you must transfer the original media, the certificate of authenticity, the product key and the proof of purchase directly to that other person, without retaining any copies of the software. You may use the backup copy we allow you to make or the media that the software came on to transfer the software. Anytime you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer. You may not transfer the software to share licenses between computers. You may transfer Get Genuine Windows software, Pro Pack or Media Center Pack software only together with the licensed computer. "Ed Smith wrote:> Yes... that's what I am afraid of.> > "mjnelson99" wrote in message news:3669@public.tech.misc...> > I'll bet it is OEM rather than retail.> Mary